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Six-fold increase of atmospheric pCO2 during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction

Author

Listed:
  • Yuyang Wu

    (China University of Geosciences
    Montclair State University)

  • Daoliang Chu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Jinnan Tong

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Haijun Song

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Jacopo Dal Corso

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Paul B. Wignall

    (University of Leeds)

  • Huyue Song

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Yong Du

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Ying Cui

    (Montclair State University)

Abstract

The Permian–Triassic mass extinction was marked by a massive release of carbon into the ocean-atmosphere system, evidenced by a sharp negative carbon isotope excursion. Large carbon emissions would have increased atmospheric pCO2 and caused global warming. However, the magnitude of pCO2 changes during the PTME has not yet been estimated. Here, we present a continuous pCO2 record across the PTME reconstructed from high-resolution δ13C of C3 plants from southwestern China. We show that pCO2 increased from 426 +133/−96 ppmv in the latest Permian to 2507 +4764/−1193 ppmv at the PTME within about 75 kyr, and that the reconstructed pCO2 significantly correlates with sea surface temperatures. Mass balance modelling suggests that volcanic CO2 is probably not the only trigger of the carbon cycle perturbation, and that large quantities of 13C-depleted carbon emission from organic matter and methane were likely required during complex interactions with the Siberian Traps volcanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuyang Wu & Daoliang Chu & Jinnan Tong & Haijun Song & Jacopo Dal Corso & Paul B. Wignall & Huyue Song & Yong Du & Ying Cui, 2021. "Six-fold increase of atmospheric pCO2 during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22298-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22298-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Chengsheng Chen & Shengfei Qin & Yunpeng Wang & Greg Holland & Peter Wynn & Wanxu Zhong & Zheng Zhou, 2022. "High temperature methane emissions from Large Igneous Provinces as contributors to late Permian mass extinctions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Corentin Jouault & André Nel & Vincent Perrichot & Frédéric Legendre & Fabien L. Condamine, 2022. "Multiple drivers and lineage-specific insect extinctions during the Permo–Triassic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Terry T. Isson & Shuang Zhang & Kimberly V. Lau & Sofia Rauzi & Nicholas J. Tosca & Donald E. Penman & Noah J. Planavsky, 2022. "Marine siliceous ecosystem decline led to sustained anomalous Early Triassic warmth," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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